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Eagan recognized as 2025 NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence

Posted: Friday, October 3, 2025 - 2:15 PM

Eagan Wildcats and NFHS logos. 2025 NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence

Eagan High School’s Homecoming pep fest started off with a little more zest than usual on Friday, Oct. 3. Before the merriment and culmination of a week filled with school spirit kicked into high gear, Eagan High School was recognized as the recipient of a prestigious national honor.

Eagan, which opened its doors 36 years ago in the southeast metro of the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, was selected as the recipient of the 2025 NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence. Eagan is the 10th high school in the nation to receive the award, presented annually by the National Federation of State High School Associations.

Honoring a school that has achieved excellence in the Fine Arts is one of the marquee celebrations that kicks off National High School Activities Month each October. This initiative shines a spotlight on the values and lifelong benefits of high school activities programs for students, schools and their supportive communities.

“This honor is because of the amazing work that is put in every day by both our coaches and team members!” Eagan senior Speech captain Nabiha Kashif said. “Eagan really is the best!”

League Executive Director Erich Martens and Chris Paulson, the Director of Performing Arts for the Indianapolis-based NFHS addressed the assembly in the varsity gym before presenting the award. Eagan High School Principal Dr. Polly Reikowski and Speech and Debate Coach Chris McDonald accepted the award on behalf of the school’s elite-level performing arts programs.

“We are deeply honored,” Reikowski said. “This award reflects the tireless work of our teachers, the extraordinary commitment of our students and the steadfast support of our families and community. Performing arts are at the heart of our school’s culture, and this recognition will inspire us to continue creating opportunities for students to learn, grow and shine.”

Eagan High School, MSHSL and NFHS staff with the Performing Arts School of Excellence award

The performing arts offerings at Eagan High School are among the most comprehensive and successful in the country. Among the highlights:

Debate

Eagan boasts the largest Debate program in Minnesota with 140 active members. Success has followed with seven League state championships and 38 top-four finishes in the Debate State Tournament. The Wildcats have won one Speech and Debate Association National Debate Championship and placed in the top 10 on eight different occasions. Eagan has been recognized with 11 NSDA School of Excellence Awards, which are earned after a top-20 finish in the NSDA National Tournament.

Speech

More than 80 team members participate in Speech, competing in 14 different events. The Wildcats have won 78 state championships across the League’s state tournament format. Since 1989 when the school opened participants have earned 321 medals at the Speech State Tournament. In addition to a team title in 2016 and a runner-up finish in 2017, Eagan has won 17 national championships during NSDA competition.

Theatre

Since its opening, Eagan has annually staged full-length plays, Broadway musicals and the annual ENCORE showcase involving more than 120 students. The program has earned 19 starred ratings at the League’s One Act Play State Festival and is deeply connected to the community, offering summer performing arts camps for local youth.

Music

More than 300 students participate in instrumental ensembles, with marching band, pep band, wind symphony, jazz groups and chamber ensembles earning state and national recognition, including designation as a GRAMMY Signature School. Vocal music enrolls over 275 students across six choirs, regularly performing at state, regional and national festivals, with dozens of All-State selections and international performance tours.

Visual Arts

With over 340 students enrolled annually, Eagan’s visual arts program offers a wide range of courses, from ceramics and painting to graphic design and AP Art Portfolio. Students regularly earn awards at Scholastic Art Contests and the South Suburban Conference Exhibition.

Across all disciplines, Eagan emphasizes creativity, diversity, and excellence, with intentional programming that includes works from composers and artists of varied cultures and backgrounds.

“Eagan High School embodies everything this award is meant to celebrate,” Paulson said. “The achievements of its music, theatre, speech, debate and visual arts programs are extraordinary, but what truly stands out is the way these programs nurture creativity, leadership, and confidence. Eagan has built a model for the nation in showing how the performing arts can transform students’ lives and enrich entire communities.”

Eagan joins an elite list of past recipients of the NFHS Performing Arts School of Excellence Award: